If
your dog can't walk OR with STRICT
crate rest, neurological functions
worsen and are lost (legs and
bladder control)

•

STRICT
crate rest is employed and after
several attempts to go off of the
anti-inflammatory, the pain returns

•

If
100%
STRICT crate rest has been employed
and pain medications have been
adjusted (dose, frequency, and mix
of pain relievers) yet the pain
can’t be brought under control

•

if a dog
is experiencing similar signs of neck
or back pain, or mild neurological
deficits for the 3rd or 4th time,
meaning it may be the same disc is
involved.

As
damage to the spinal cord increases,
there is a predictable stepwise
deterioration of functions. When
nerve healing begins, often it
follows the reverse order.
1. Pain caused by the tearing disc
& inflammation in the spinal
cord
2. Wobbly walking, legs cross
3. Nails scuffing floor
4. Paws knuckle
5. Legs do not work (paralysis, dog
is down)
6. Bladder control is lost
7. Tail wagging with joy is lost
8. Deep pain sensation, the last
neuro function, a critical indicator
for successful surgery.
[Making Sense of the Neuro
Exam]

After
a dog is paralyzed, the existence of
deep pain sensation is an indicator that
surgery could STILL be successful. That
window of time is 12-24 hours from
losing deep pain sensation (DPS). Even
after that window of time, surgery is
often successful. The spinal cord is
very fragile, the more hours after the
window, the less chance of a complete
recovery.

Unfortunately,
general vets do not see enough cases
of IVDD daily, to become really
proficient in giving the neuro exam
and correctly interpreting what they
see. Therefore precious time
can be lost in wrongly identifying
deep pain sensation. Only take the
word of a board certified neuro
(ACVIM) or ortho (ACVS) about
DPS.

No-
or low-interest credit for veterinary
costs can be obtained from Care
Credit. You find out online if you
qualify.

Surgery on the spinal cord takes a
well-trained surgeon for this most
delicate and tricky of surgeries. You
can find board-certified neuro (ACVIM)
and ortho (ACVS)
surgical specialists at university vet
teaching hospitals and in private
hospitals. Find Veterinary
surgeons (ACVS) and neuro surgeons
(ACVIM) here: http://find.vetspecialists.com

Board
Certified Dr. Wong, DVM, ACVIM
(neurology) uses microscope-aided
surgery to skillfully remove the
offending disc material away from
under the compressed (narrowed) area
of the spinal cord in the video clip
below:

Surgery
compared
with conservative treatment

Surgery
immediately removes the offensive disc
material and stops the pressure on the
spinal cord. Immediate neuro improvement
may or may not come during the 6 weeks
of post-op rest… as nerves may take more
than 6 weeks to heal… in fact there is
no time limit for nerves to heal.
There may be temporary neuro setbacks
caused by the swelling the surgical
procedure itself causes. Surgical
swelling likely will subside in two
weeks so that the true direction
of nerve healing can better be
seen. Dr.
Isaacs, DVM, ACVIM (Neurology)
addresses Dodgerslist members'
questions on surgeryhttp://www.dodgerslist.com/literature/surgery.htm

The
following has been compiled via
observations surgeons and IVDD
knowledgeable vets suggest for
treatment. Not all
veterinarians will treat the same
way. Follow the advise of your board
certified surgeon when surgery is to
be considered.

Surgery

Surgery
is an invasive treatment
with trauma to the
body and includes
surgical-associated risks;
no guarantees of return of
neuro functions.

It
immediately removes the
offending disc material and
the pressure on the spinal
cord.

Surgery results can be very
successful if performed early
on a downed dog and by a board
certified neruro or ortho
surgeon

There is a window of 12-24
hours after paralysis plus
loss of deep pain sensation
that surgery could still be
successful.

The more hours that pass after
24 hours the less chance for
full recovery.

Nerves are the slowest part of
the body to heal. Nerves can
take weeks, months or even a
year+ to regrow and return
function.

Because offending disc
material has been removed PT
can be started as soon as the
surgeon directs during 6 weeks
of post-op crate rest.

Acupuncture or laser light
therapy helps to relieve pain
and stimulate nerves to heal,
it can be started at any time.

Costs vary widely across the
country from $2500 to $8000
for a CT, MRI or myelogram,
the surgery and the hospital
stay of 2-5 days.

Is not invasive, avoids
surgical risks;
no guarantees of return of
neuro functions.

Good
prognosis with mild
symptoms and even those
with deep pain sensation
still intact may be able
recover nerve function.

Depends on an
anti-inflammatory to reduce
swelling in the spinal cord.
Some dogs can get the swelling
down in a couple of weeks
others need a steroid for more
like a month. Glucocorticoids
are synthetic versions of the
body's naturally occurring
steroid, cortisol. Steroids
are basically the most
powerful anti-inflammatories
when dealing with IVDD. Most
often used when there has been
loss of neuro functions (i.e.
legs, bladder control)

NSAIDs
(non-steroid
anti-inflammatories) are also
used most often when neuro
functions are intact and there
is pain only.

Depends
on owners commitment to time
of 8 weeks of little movement
to allow the disc itself to
heal and form good scar
tissue, waiting til after
crate rest for any active PT
rehabilitation.

Nerves are the slowest part of
the body to heal. Nerves can
take weeks, months or even a
year+ to regrow and return
function.

Acupuncture or laser light
therapy helps to relieve pain
and stimulate nerves to heal,
it can be started at any time.

Medications can be as low as
$4 for each prescription with
generic programs at
Walmart, Target and local
grocery store pharmacies.

There are other diseases that
can mimic a disc problem, your
vet will rule those out with
appropriate tests.

Disclaimer:
This information is presented for educational
purposes and as a resource for the Dachshund
community. The coordinators are not veterinarians
or health care professionals. Nothing herein
should be interpreted as medical advice and all
should contact their pet care professionals for
advice. The coordinators are not responsible for
the substance and content contained herein and do
not advocate any particular product, item or
position contained herein.